Delta Innovation Fund to host Demo Day

The Delta Innovation Fund (Delta I-Fund) startup accelerator will host its 2019 Demo Day at the Clinton Presidential Center on April 17 at 4 p.m. Eight Delta I-Fund alumni companies will showcase their innovations and successful business models. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Winrock President and CEO Rodney Ferguson will speak during the event. The event is free and open to the public.

“Winrock International and the Delta Regional Authority play important roles in developing the entrepreneurial community in Arkansas and across the region,” Hutchinson said. “The Delta I-Fund is a key contributor to achieve our vision for the future of Arkansas’s knowledge-based economy. These impressive startups are proof of the great potential to create jobs and drive long-term economic growth through entrepreneurship.”

Funded by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and administered by Winrock International, the Delta I-Fund is an early-stage, proof-of-concept startup accelerator formed to train entrepreneurs in the 252 county/parish territory of the DRA. Each startup team accepted into the program is matched with a mentor and completes 12 weeks of rigorous business training. Participating entrepreneurs receive technical assistance, including market research, prototype development and patenting assistance.

In March, the Delta I-Fund began training with its seventh cohort. To date, the program has supported 166 Delta entrepreneurs.

The following projects will be featured:

Capture – Flowood, Mississippi
Capture is a platform designed to improve data collection in K-12 school districts. Capture simplifies the process of collecting data by focusing strictly on the core needs of educators, allowing them to adjust quickly to changing needs in the K-12 education market.

Careerquo – Memphis, Tennessee
Careerquo has developed an online platform to connect individuals entering or re-entering the workforce with mentors for interview practice, career advice, etc.

Staley House – Helena, Arkansas
Staley House has developed a Class 1 medical device, the FreeArm, to hold feeding pumps and bags used for bolus feeding.

GSS Group – Blytheville, Arkansas
GSS Group has developed an easy-to-use software to assist farmers in getting GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certified without having to hire expensive consultants.

Precise Curanomics – Little Rock, Arkansas
Precise Curanomics has developed a patented wrist brace that allows for more flexibility, wicks moisture and permits patients to wear a watch while using the brace.

Rejuvenix – Little Rock, Arkansas
Rejuvenix has developed a radiation-triggered liposome that can delay the release of chemotherapy drugs until after they enter the cancerous tumor environment, therefore reducing chemotherapy side effects.

SchoolBox – Little Rock, Arkansas
SchoolBox has developed a scalable, web-based virtual learning environment and management system designed for trainers, managers and instructors.

Talaria Antibodies – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Talaria Antibodies has developed comprehensive kits for antibody-based research within high school, community college and university labs.